Local tobacco producers are expressing fear that this year’s tobacco market will be affected by the recent fuel price hike.

The upward adjustment at the weekend has already triggered an increase in public transport fares amid fears that the same will happen to basic consumer goods and services.

However the development has come at a time farmers are still ferrying their leaf to the auction floors.

Already, farmers are complaining of poor prices on the table, two weeks into the market season.

Chief Executive Officer of TAMA Farmers Trust, Nixon Lita, is hoping for improved prices at the market to cushion them from the possible high transport cost emanating from the recent fuel hike.

Lita adds that transporters will likely push up their prices hence putting a strain on expected farmer profits.